It's hard to remember sometimes that when the festival started, Italy was a Fascist country. That didn't come much into play until 1938, when Joseph Goebbels became an annual fixture. Here he shakes hands with the Italian actress Elli Parvo at the presence of the Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Pavolini during the 9th Venice International Film Festival. Venice, 2nd September 1941.

Photo: Mondadori, Mondadori Via Getty Images

It's hard to remember sometimes that when the festival started,...

It's hard to remember sometimes that when the festival... Photo-6778294.92368 - SFGate

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American actor Gene Tierney (1920 - 1991), wearing a lace top, sits next to French director Jean Renoir (1894 - 1979), as they look over the preview of the program for the annual Venice Film Festival, Italy. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

1950: American writer Richard Wright (1908 - 1960) in Venice for the screening of director Pierre Chenal's film, 'Native Son,' at the Venice Film Festival, Italy, 1950. Wright starred in the film, which was adapted from his novel. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

French actress Francoise Arnoul and Italian actress Giulietta Masina posing among the pigeons in San Marco square during the 16th Venice International Film Festival. Venice, September 1955 (Photo by Mario De Biasi/Carlo BavagnoliMondadori Portfolio by Getty Images)

British actress Olivia de Havilland with her husband, French journalist Pierre Galante, on board, during the 16th Venice International Film Festival. Venice (Italy), 1955. (Photo by Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

Photo: Mondadori, Mondadori Via Getty Images

British actress Olivia de Havilland with her husband, French...

British actress Olivia de Havilland with her husband, French... Photo-6778301.92368 - SFGate

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British actress, Diana Dors wearing a mink bikini and riding in a Gondola by St. Mark's Square, Venice during the Venice film festival. (Photo by Horace Abrahams/Keystone/Getty Images)

The actress Gina Lollobrigida on the seashore, her feet in the water, during the 17th Venice Intenational Film Festival. Venice (Italy), 1956. (Photo by Emilio Ronchini/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

Photo: Mondadori, Mondadori Via Getty Images

The actress Gina Lollobrigida on the seashore, her feet in the...

The actress Gina Lollobrigida on the seashore, her feet in the... Photo-6778304.92368 - SFGate

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The actor James Mason on boat, in the course of the 17th Venice Intenational Film Festival. Venice (Italy), 1956. (Photo by Emilio Ronchini/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

Photo: Mondadori, Mondadori Via Getty Images

The actor James Mason on boat, in the course of the 17th Venice...

The actor James Mason on boat, in the course of the 17th Venice... Photo-6778305.92368 - SFGate

Salvador DALI, accompanied by his wife Gala, entering the screening room for the film premiere of LE GARDE DU CORPS, by the Japanese director Akira KUROSAWA, during the International Film Festival of Venice, on August 21, 1961. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

Salvador DALI, accompanied by his wife Gala, entering the screening...

American actor Paul Newman, wearing a tuxedo and a bow tie, portrayed during a trip on a water taxi, a sailor cap on the dashboard, St. Mark Square in the background, Venice 1963. (Photo by Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche/Getty Images)

The French Film-Maker Jean-Luc Godard And The French Actress Macha Meryl Present The Film Une Femme Mariee At The Venice Film Festival In September 1964. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

The French Film-Maker Jean-Luc Godard And The French Actress Macha...

The French Film-Maker Jean-Luc Godard And The French Actress Macha... Photo-6778314.92368 - SFGate

The Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni carries under his arm and closed in a box the Golden Lion lifetime achievement award, received at the 40th edition of the Venice Film Festival. Venice (Italy), September 1983. That's what it all comes down to. Pour everything into your work, and the best you can hope for is to wind up alone, carrying a red box and waiting for the boat to show up.

French actor Olivier Martinez poses with his fiancee, US actress Mira Sorvino, before the projection of "The triumph of love", in comptetition at the 58 th International Film Festival, organized by Venice's Biennale, 05 September 2001. (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS, AFP/Getty Images

French actor Olivier Martinez poses with his fiancee, US actress...

French actor Olivier Martinez poses with his fiancee, US actress... Photo-6778327.92368 - SFGate

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Catherine Deneuve, arrives for the screening of the Tonie Marshall's film "Au plus pres du paradis" at the 59th Venice Film Festival August 31, 2002 in Venice, Italy.

Photo: Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images

Catherine Deneuve, arrives for the screening of the Tonie...

Catherine Deneuve, arrives for the screening of the Tonie... Photo-6778328.92368 - SFGate

Director Patrice Leconte, French actor and music star Johnny Hallyday and his wife Laeticia arrive at the Lido during the 59th Venice Film Festival September 2, 2002 in Venice, Italy. Hallyday is in Venice to present the Todd Haynes's film "L'homme Du Train" which is in competition at the festival. The annual Venice Film Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious cinema events in Europe. The ten day event traditionally sponsors non-Hollywood films and awards the Golden Lion as its top prize. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Actress Christina Ricci (R) waves to photographers as she arrives at Venice Lido with actor Jason Biggs 26 August 2003. Ricci and Biggs are in Venice to present the Woody Allen's out of competition movie " Anything Else " to open the 60th international Venice Film Festival on 27 August.

Actress Reese Witherspoon and actor James Purefoy arrive by boat for the "Vanity Fair" Photocall at the 61st Venice Film Festival on September 5, 2004 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Angelina Jolie arrives in Venice St. Marco square to present the world premiere of the animation film 'Shark Tale', shown out of competition, at the 61st Venice Film Festival in Venice, 10 September 2004.

George Clooney and Patricia Clarkson during 2005 Venice Film Festival - George Clooney. You could make a gallery of Clooney Venice pictures -- they can't keep that guy away, and he always seems to be having a great time.

Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller and Jeremy Irons during 2005 Venice Film Festival "Casanova" Premiere, inside at Palazzo del Cinema in Venice Lido, Italy. The stars sit in the front row of the second tier so everyone can see them, and if people don't like the movie, they boo anyway.